Frances "Fran" (Stegner) Hatch passed away peacefully December 14, 2018 at the age of 89 in Montclair, NJ surrounded by her family.

Fran was born in Newark, NJ on April 9, 1929 to Joseph Edward Stegner and Freda Belcher Stegner. She grew up in Brimfield, Massachusetts. She married Harold "Hal" Phelps Hatch of Amherst, MA, in 1950 and graduated from the University of MA in Amherst in 1951 with a B.S. in Zoology. Fran and Hal raised four children in Amherst, MA, and later Wayland, MA, and had 7 grandchildren. After Hal retired, the couple made a home in Conway, MA, with beautiful gardens and many friends in the community.

Fran was known for her exceptional talent in pottery, quilting, knitting, sewing and gardening. Fran's hands were rarely idle and she shared her creations with appreciative family members, friends and neighbors. She enjoyed reading, music, singing and the simple pleasures of watching birds and sunsets.

Frances was predeceased by Harold Phelps Hatch her husband of 64 years, and her half-brother Wendell Stegner. She is survived by her sister Barbara Verrilli; daughter Carol Hutchinson; daughter Holly Hatch and her children Fransiska and Peter Dannemann; son Andrew Hatch and his children Corey and Allison; daughter Alaine, her husband Roosevelt Nesmith and their children Jordan, Drew and Avery.

Cards of condolence may be sent to Alaine Nesmith of Montclair NJ.

Contributions in Frances' memory may be made to the Field Memorial Library, 16 Elm Street Conway MA 01341